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Nowhere to hide

Story appeared in: Torch | July 11th, 2017

IN an effort to deter repeated vandalism in Bankstown's Paul Keating Park, 'big brother' surveillance technology will be put in place for the first time.
There will be nowhere to hide for criminals in the popular park, with a staggering 20 surveillance cameras planned for the civic precinct, which encompasses the Canterbury Bankstown Council Chambers, administration building, library and knowledge centre.
Council have invited fresh tenders for an amended scope of works to instal the cameras after rejecting initial submission to carry out the work. A Council spokesperson said about 20 cameras are proposed for the precinct.
"The final figure will depend on recommendations made by an independent expert consultant," a Council spokesperson said.
Currently Council has no close circuit television (CCTV) in the park, but has 75 cameras across the local government area, with the majority located in larger shopping centres.
"Councils, including Canterbury Bankstown, use a range of preventative measures, including CCTV cameras, to protect the community and community assets such as Paul Keating Park," the spokesperson said.
"Unfortunately, from time to time, the park has been targeted by vandals who have caused thousands of dollars damage. As a result, we are forced to use ratepayer money to carry out what can be expensive repairs which also impact on the availability of the park for use by the community."
The project to reduce antisocial activity in Paul Keating Park will take up to 12 months, with a completion date expected at the end of June next year.
A similar plan to install 36 CCTV cameras around a South Australian civic centre, cost Tea Tree Gully Council in April about $50,000.